US HOUSE PROTECTS ELECTION INTEGRITY
WITH APPROVAL OF VOTER ID ACT

LATHAM SAYS “MEASURE PROTECTS FEDERAL ELECTION PROCESS
FROM VOTER FRAUD WITH COMMON SENSE AND EFFECTIVE SAFEGUARDS”

WASHINGTON, DC – The United States House of Representatives approved legislation Wednesday that combats the increased incidence of voter fraud around the nation.

The Federal Election Integrity Act, H.R. 4844, helps preserve the integrity of federal elections by requiring all individuals present a photo ID before voting in federal elections and eventually requires that voters must present a photo ID that certifies they are citizens of the United States.

“In a democracy, it is vital that we ensure that the election process is an honest process,” noted Iowa Congressman Tom Latham, a supporter of the measure.  “We have heard many questions raised about irregularities over the last several election cycles.  By putting in place effective safeguards against voter fraud, this measure helps to preserve the integrity of our election process.”

The legislation was created in part due to the concerns and recommendations from groups like the bipartisan Federal Election Reform Commission headed by Former President Jimmy Carter and Former Secretary of State James Baker.  In September 2005, the co-chairmen noted in a New York Times article that the Commission had serious concerns that “the differing requirements from state-to-state could be a source of discrimination, and so we recommended a standard for the entire country.”

The bill amends the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to add the photo ID vote requirement beginning with the 2008 federal elections.  In 2010 the measure requires that voters provide a photo ID that could not have been obtained without proof of citizenship to be allowed to cast a ballot.

The measure allows voters who arrive at polling stations without the required ID, to be given a provisional ballot and a 48 hour period to present a qualifying ID.  Individuals that vote by mail will be required to include a photocopy of the photo ID.

H.R. 4844 additionally protects low-income individuals with a requirement that States must set up programs to distribute the IDs at no cost to indigent voters.  The cost of the low-income ID distribution program to the States will be reimbursed by the federal government.

The legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 228 to 196, now awaits consideration by the United States Senate.

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